Shoe latch



R- E. JONES Oct. 14, 1952 SHOE LATCH 2 SHEETS SHEET l Filed July 2. 1948 y Ffa. 2

-F/as INVENTOR. RALPH E. Jon/Es MEM R. E. JONES oct. V14, 1952 SHOE LATCH 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed July 2, 1948 F IG. /2

INVENTOR. RALPH E. JONES AGENT Patented Oct. 14, 1952 Ralph E. Jones, SanDiego, Calif., assignor of one- 1 half to' Kelso Jones, San Diego, Calif.

' Application July z, 1948, serialzNo. 36,678 (ci. 24411) 6 Claims.

My invention relates toa shoe latch,mor e particularly for tightening the upper portions of shoes upon the feet of a person, and for lfastening the same securely against loosening, This much time in comparison to thev old shoe `lace arrangement, which requires particular attention to the tension adjustment each time a shoe is placed upon the foot, and .thus veliminating completely the otherwise notoriously ytroublesome shoe lace;

Second, to provide such a shoe latch that the fastening means may be unfastened and the y upper shoe parts liberally loosened and separated with no less speed, ease and' efliciency,

this likewise with but a single movement;

Third, to provide such a shoe latch vso arranged that the tting-the tension of theupper across the foot-may be easily, quickly, satisfactorily and reliably adjusted, initially orA when desired, without the need of any tool except a coin such as a penny or a quarter, and soarranged that the shoe may normally be repeatedly put on and taken olf day after day without any need for bothering with or changing such tension adjustment; 'f

Fourth, to provide such a shoe latch as will present a simple, neat and r`attractive exterior appearance, with all metal partsr concealed beneath the necessary .leather parts, andwith no obstructions, either unsightly or` such as `to interfere with quick and satisfactory polishing; I

Fifth, to provide such a shoe latch that the fitting or tensionadjustment is made by moving all metal parts as a unit relative to the leather upper upon which mounted, and without any disturbance of the connection of the tension strap to the lever; andl Sixth, to provide such a shoe latch which is conducive to comfort, economical in construction, efficient, reliable and satisfactory in operation, and which will not readilydeteriorate or get out of order. v

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of yparts and portions, and certain modications, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had `to ythe accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon, forming a part lof this application, in which:

Fig. 1 of the drawing is a perspectiveview of 2 my shoe latch, shown in closed position and in connection with a shoe; Fig. 21s 'a side elevational view of my shoe .'latch, shown in open position andshowing a shoe fragmentarily in connection therewith Fig.f 3 is a side elevational view of a shoe shown. fragmentarly and illustrating my shoe latch in connection therewith; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 5--5 of Fig. 2, showing a part in varied position by dash lines;-Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the shoeuppers slotted to receive the anchor stud. of my shoe latch; Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of the nut of my shoe latch; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken from the line 8 -8 of Fig. '7; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken from the line 9-9 of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a modified form of nut used in connectionwith my shoe latch; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken Vfrom the line` lI-ll of Fig. 10; Fig; 12 isa sectional view taken from the line` I2-l2 ofFig. 10; Fig. 13 is another modified form of nut used in connection withmy. shoe. latch; Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken from the line I4-I4 of Fig. 13; and Fig. 15.is a` sectional view-'taken from the line |5-|5of Fig; 13.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views ofthe drawing.

The tension member l, pivot rmounting element 2, lever k3, stud 4, nut 5 and `the shoe uppers 6 and 1 constitute the principal parts and portions of my shoe latch, the pivot mounting element 2 and the lever 3 comprising first and second securing members of the invention.

As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, my shoe latch, when installed in connection with a shoe, is .entirely covered by one of the shoev elements, the tension member. l. .In the closed position, as shown in Fig.1 of the drawings, the tension member I completely obscures the operating mechanism ofthe shoe latch and presents a very neat, compact appearance. Pivotally connected "to the outswinging end la of this tension member l is the lever 3,. which is a substantially U- `shaped member. havinginwardly directed opposed end portions 3a and 3b, which extend through openings in opposite side walls or rails of the pivot mounting element 2, shown best in Fig. 5 of the drawings, which is preferably made of stainless steel sheet metal, or the like. This pivot mounting element 2 is substantially U- shaped in cross-section to provide the aforesaid rails, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and is provided with outwardly extending, slightly inclined angeportions or edges 2a and 2b, which converge slightly toward the pivotal connections of theends 3a andb ofthe lever 3, therewith, as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The tension memberlis preferably of leather, ,or other material similar to that of which the shoe 3 is constructed, and is connected tothe shoe upper 1 by sewing, or otherwise, as desired, while the pivot mounting element 2 is adjustably connected to the shoe upper 6 by means of the stud 4 engaged by the nut 5, as shown in Fig. 4

of the drawings, wherein the stud 4 extends' through a slot 6a in the shoe yupper 6, permitting ings. When closing my shoe latch for drawing the uppers 6 and. 1 together, as shownin Fig. 1 of the drawings, the end Ia of the exible tension member I is simply forced downwardly,

and with a single downward motion thereof the lever 3, at its outswinging portion, is pivoted in adjustment of the stud 4 in said f slot 6a trans# l versely of the arch of the shoein order to ac- 4, effectively preventing* accidental rotation and loosening thereof` As shown infFig. 4 of the drawings, the threaded'shank 4d 'ofthe stud 4 extends through an opening v2c in the web 2d element 2. and the nut 45, externally screwthreaded on the screw-threaded shank 4d of the stud 4,-is jammed against theouterside ofthe web 2d, as showninFigs. 4k and 5 of the drawings, for compressively engaging the head 4a of the stud 4 with the innerA side oftheshoe upper 6, overlapping 'the 'slotted vportion 6a therein. The -nut 5, as shown best in Figs. 2

`of the U-shaped in' cross-section'pivot mounting and`4 of the drawings, is provided with a chordally disposed slotted portion 5a positioned outwardly of thel periphery oflthe screw-threaded shank 4d of the stud 4. vThis Islotje, 'shown best in Fig.'8 of the drawings,l A isarcuate longitudinally thereof, as .shown in section, and a'rranged to receive the peripheral edge ora-coin, or the like, for tightening-the Inut againstthe inner web 2d of said lpivot ymounting element 2. It will be noted that the is provided with a large diameter annular'frictional bearing 5b, similar to the bearing 4c o f 'the` head 4a of the stud 4, causing efiicient "friction'al 'engagement of thejnut5 with the web Zd of the pivot mounting element 2.vl The ends of lthe -slot 5a are relatively shallow, which greatly'strengthens the periphery of the n ut5 atreach opposite terminus of the slotaQallas shown best in Figs. 7,8 and9. The operation 9i myhoelatch 'is Ys ubstantially as follows; When the lateh is in the closed position as shown in Fig. `1 offthe'drawin'g's, and it is desired to release the same for spreading move a persons footfromfthe shoe, the end In of the vtension member I fis raised upwardly .from the upper 6 of the shoe, causing pivotal movement of the lever 3 at its' oppos`ite end's, into the position as shown in IEig. 2 of the drawings, whereby the uppers Sand' 1 oi the shoe are released in one single motion. Itv will be noted that during the raising motion of the lever 3, that opposite side members 3c and '3d thereof spread apart, widening the distance between the ends 3a and 3b, `due to the spreading action of the U-shaped lever 3, caused bypassage thereof over the outer edges 2a and 2b, at the anged portions of the pivot mounting element 2. The resilient character of thelever 3 permits the side members 3c and 3d t obe resiliently spread over A these extending flanged edges 2a and 2b, which lie'ai'icivelijhe'side` inembers 3c and 3d when the elements arein the closed position as shown in` Fig. 5 ofthe drawconnection with the end Ia. of the tension member I, and it isl also pivoted at its end portions 3a and 3b within the side walls of the pivot mounting element 2. As the lever 3 progressively moves intoparallel relationship with the plane of the web 2d of the pivot mounting element 2, the onvergingfiange portions or edges 2a and 2b cause'progressive spreading of the side members 3c and 3d of the lever 3 until these side members snap over the edges 2a, and 2b and resilientlypass toward each other beneath the flanges Za'and 2b, whichcauses interfering loclging `relationship of the lever 3 in substan tially parallel relationship with the web 2d of the pivot mounting element l2. In this condi'- Ytion, my shoe latch securely lholds the tension member I -in certain predetermined position for maintainingthe uppers 6 and 1 properly fitted to the foot of the wearer.

When it is Vdesired toadjust the tension member -I at its end Iarelative to the upper 6 of the shoe, thestUd 4 is'released by screw-threadably rotating thegnut 5, permitting the shank 4d of the stud!!k to be moved longitudinally of the slot 6a and xed in the desired position, wherein subsequent pivotal locking of the lever 3 will cause the proper tension in the tension member I, proportional to the-desired fitted relationship of the uppers 6 and 'I over the instep of the wearers foot. It will be here noted that the slot' 5a in the-nut 5 is arranged to accommodate a suitable instrument, such as a screw-driver,

orpreferably avcoin, and this slot 5a, so arranged to steer anything to correct position for fastening or securing, nor to perform a separate fas tening operation. One swing, one motion-that is all. The lever is steered automatically and precisely vinto its Afastened position. In this, human error produces no resultant delay or difculty.

In the modified structure, as shown in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, of the'drawings, I have provided a nut 8, similar to the nut hereinbefore described, andjthis nut 8 is provided witha slot 8a similar to the slot 5a of the nut 5, except that the bottom of the slot 8a `is straight from one peripheral portion of the nut 8 .to the opposite portion thereof,

it being noted, however, that this slot 8a extends chordally of the nut aton'e side of the periphery or peripheral outline of the internally screwthreaded opening 8b therein. A5 shown best in 'emcient frictional engagement of said nut on the 'object against which it bears. In operation, the

nut 8 may be screw-threaded on a suitable externally screw-threaded nut at its internally screw-threaded bore portion 8b, and various instruments, such as screw-drivers, or other straight edged objects, may be placed'in the slot 8a and extended from the axis of the bore 5b in order to provide a retention for tightening the nut 8 on its respective screw-threaded bolt or stud.

The modified structure as shown in Figs. 13 to 15, inclusive, is similar in construction to that as shown in Figs. to 12, inclusive, except that a tool-engaging recess 9a is provided in the nut 9, outwardly of the periphery of the bore 9b, which is an internally screw-threaded bore portion. This tool-engaging recess 9a may be conveniently engaged by a conventional screw-driver commonly known as the Phillips screw-driver, which employs four radiating engaging portions at its extending end.

It will be here noted that each of the nuts 5, 8 and 9 hereinbefore described, may be used with various tools which engage the various tool-engaging recesses therein, and that these various nuts may be used in connection with various externally screw-threaded bolts wherein arcuate periphery of the nut is desirable, or in such installations of mechanism wherein the nut must be very neat and compact.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, and certain modifications, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, nor to the modications, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the combination, construction and arrangement, and the modications, substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a latch, the combination of a first securing member having a substantially flat base portion, and having a pair of rails along the sides thereof, said rails being substantially parallel, each of said rails including a main portion adjacent the base portion and a bent flange extending from said main portion at the outer end thereof, and each of said main portions having a hole adjacent an end thereof, said holes being substantially aligned in a plane normal to said main portions of said rails, said flanges providing edges diverging from said main portions in a direction away from said end to provide cam faces having opposed crests; and a second securing member including a substantially U- shaped spring element having bent ends extending into said holes and journalled thereby to permit pivotal movement of said second securing member relative to said rst securing member, the sides of said spring element being substantially parallel with said main portions of said rails and being adapted to slip over said crests of said cam faces and lie adjacent to said rails beneath said iianges when said securing members are in closed position, the bent ends of said spring element being movable toward and away from each other in said holes to permit said sides of said spring element to slip over said crests and spring toward said main portions of said rails when beneath said flanges.

2. In a latch adapted to connect two overlapping members, said latch including: a first securing member providing a base portion and two rails, each having an aperture adjacent an end thereof, said apertures being substantially aligned Cil in a plane normal to said rails, said rails extending from the sides of said base portion to provide edges diverging from each other in a direction away from said rail apertures; attachment means on said rst securing member and adapted for connection to one of said overlapping meinbers; a second securing member including rst pivot means at one of its ends for pivotally connecting saine to the other of said overlapping members and second pivot means at its other end for pivotally connecting same to said rails of said first securing member to permit said second securing member to swing from a plane substantially common to the plane of said rst securing member through a position in which said first pivot means is opposite said second pivot means to fold toward said first securing member and assume a closed position in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said iirst securing meinber, said second securing member including wirelike side members engaging and slipping beneath said edges of said rails as said securing members assume said closed position.

3. A latch as dened in claim 2 in which said second securing member is a Wire bail having bent ends and a transverse member, said transverse member being joined to said bent ends by said Wire-like side members, said transverse member comprising said first pivot means. said rail apertures receiving said bent ends to form said second pivot means, said bent ends being movable in said apertures to permit spreading of said ends, said side members engaging said diverging edges to spread said bent ends progressively as said bail moves toward closed position, said bent ends snapping toward each other when said side members pass said edges oi said rails and when said securing members are in closed position.

4. A latch as defined in claim 2 in which the one of said overlapping members adapted for connection to said attachment means is slotted in the direction of overlap and said attachment means includes a projecting member extending within said slot and movable to any position along the length thereof for adjustment of said first securing member relative to said overlapping member and a securing nut threaded on said projecting member for releasably retaining said attachment means and said first securing member in any set position of adjustment.

5. A latch as defined in claim 4 in which the said nut has on its outer face an eccentrically positioned tool receiving recess adapted to facilitate manual rotation of said nut to effect retention or release of said attachment means.

6. A latch as defined in claim 4 in which the said retaining nut has on its outer face an arcuate slot adapted to receive a coin to manually turn said nut, said slot extending chordally and off center across said face of said nut.

RALPH E. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 139,109 Boch May 20, 1873 931,441 Lindberg Aug. 17, 1909 1,282,871 Kraft Oct. 29, 1918 1,293,865 Mueller Feb. 11, 1919 1,466,176 Kraft Aug. 28, 1923 1,701,041 Johnson et al. Feb. 5, 1929 

